Steam vs Epic Games: Which Store Should You Use?

Steam and Epic Games Store are the two biggest PC game storefronts, and the choice between them comes down to what you value more: Steam’s massive library and community features, or Epic’s free games and better revenue share for developers. This article compares the two platforms across features, pricing, user experience, and more, so you can decide which one (or both) fits your gaming habits.

Background: How Each Store Started

Steam launched in 2003 as Valve’s way to update Counter-Strike and other games automatically. It grew into the dominant PC gaming platform, with over 50,000 games and an estimated 120 million monthly active users as of 2023. Its early mover advantage meant it became the default home for PC gamers, with features like Steam Workshop, a trading card system, and a vast community hub.

The Epic Games Store arrived much later, in December 2018, as a direct challenge to Steam. Epic used its own hit game Fortnite as a launchpad and immediately attracted attention by offering a free game every week. It also cut the standard store cut from 30% to 12%, which attracted developers who were unhappy with Steam’s revenue split. This aggressive strategy quickly grew Epic’s user base, but it also sparked controversy over exclusive game deals.

How Each Store Works

Both stores are desktop applications that you install to buy, download, and launch games. They also have web-based storefronts where you can browse and purchase, but downloads and library management happen in the client.

• Steam: The client is feature-rich, with a built-in browser, voice chat, game recording, remote play together, and a robust overlay that works with most games. It also supports offline mode, which lets you play single-player games without an internet connection.
• Epic Games Store: The client is simpler and more lightweight. It focuses on the essentials: a library, a store, and a friends list. It lacks many of Steam’s social features, but it does have cloud saves, achievements (for some games), and a clean interface.

One key difference is how updates are handled. Steam allows you to schedule updates and even has a “verify integrity of game files� tool that’s essential for fixing corrupted downloads. Epic also verifies files, but it’s less granular, and some users report that Epic’s download speeds can be slower, though this varies by region and connection.

Key Features Compared

When you look beyond the basics, the two stores diverge significantly.

• Community and Social: Steam is far ahead. You have profiles, screenshots, guides, reviews, and a huge modding community via the Workshop. Epic only added a basic reviews system in 2022, and it lacks a mod hub or any equivalent of Steam’s community forums.
• Free Games: Epic gives away one or two free games every week, and you keep them forever. Steam offers some free weekends and occasional free-to-keep promotions, but nothing near Epic’s consistency. This alone makes Epic worth having for many gamers.
• Exclusives: Epic has paid for timed exclusivity on many major titles, like Borderlands 3, Control, and the Kingdom Hearts series. Steam rarely has exclusives because it’s so dominant. If a game you want is Epic-only, you have no choice but to use Epic (or wait a year).
• Refunds: Both offer a “no questions askedâ€� refund within 14 days of purchase and less than 2 hours of playtime. The process is similar, but Steam’s refunds are processed to your Steam Wallet by default, while Epic refunds to your original payment method.
• Sales and Discounts: Steam’s seasonal sales (Summer, Winter) are legendary for their deep discounts and the “Steam Awardsâ€� fun. Epic also has sales, but they’re less frequent and often rely on coupon-style discounts. Steam’s sales are generally considered better in terms of breadth.

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

Both platforms have their share of issues, and knowing how to fix them can save you hours of frustration.

• Steam: “Steam is temporarily unable to connect to Steam servers.â€� This is usually a network issue. Check your internet, restart Steam, and if that fails, clear your download cache (Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache).
• Epic: “Epic Games Launcher is not responding.â€� A common fix is to end the Epic processes in Task Manager (EpicGamesLauncher, EpicWebHelper) and restart the launcher. If that doesn’t work, run the launcher as administrator.
• Steam: Game won’t launch. Try verifying the game files (Right-click game > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity). If that fails, update your graphics drivers and disable your antivirus temporarily.
• Epic: Download stuck at 0%. Pause and resume the download, or change your download region in the launcher settings. Some users find that turning off the “Use HTTP3â€� option in the launcher fixes speed issues.

If you ever encounter a problem that persists, both platforms have extensive support documentation and ticket systems. A quick search on their official support sites usually yields a solution.

Costs and Pricing

Both stores are free to use. You only pay for games. There are no subscription fees to access the store or your library. However, there are indirect costs:

• Game Prices: Generally, games cost the same on both platforms, but regional pricing can vary. Steam often has better regional pricing for some countries, while Epic has been criticized for higher prices in certain regions. It’s worth comparing prices before buying.
• Sales: Steam’s sales are more predictable (seasonal events) and often include deep discounts on older titles. Epic’s sales are less frequent but sometimes offer a $10 coupon on any game over a certain price, which can be a great deal.
• Bundles: Steam has a “Complete the Setâ€� feature that lets you buy missing pieces of a bundle at a discount. Epic doesn’t have an equivalent, but it does offer some bundle deals during sales.
• Payment Methods: Both support credit cards, PayPal, and various local payment methods. Steam also has Steam Wallet codes, which are useful if you don’t have a credit card. Epic supports similar options but doesn’t have a branded prepaid card.

Safety and Security

Both platforms are safe to use, but you need to practice good account hygiene. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on both. Steam has the Steam Guard mobile app, and Epic has its own 2FA system. This is crucial because game accounts are valuable and often targeted by phishers.

Be wary of phishing emails that look like they’re from Steam or Epic. They often ask you to “verify your account� or claim you’ve won a prize. Never click links in emails; instead, go directly to the store’s website. Also, avoid buying games from third-party key resellers unless you’re sure they’re legitimate. Some keys are stolen and can be revoked, leaving you with nothing.

How to Choose: Which Store Is Right for You?

Your choice depends on your priorities. Here’s a quick guide:

• If you want the largest library and most community features: Steam is the clear winner. You’ll have access to thousands of games, mods, and a vibrant social ecosystem.
• If you want free games and don’t mind a simpler interface: Epic is unbeatable. You can build a decent library just from the weekly free games.
• If you care about supporting developers: Epic’s 12% cut means more money goes to the developer. However, this is a behind-the-scenes factor that doesn’t affect your experience directly.
• If you play multiplayer games with friends: You need to be on the same platform as your friends. Many multiplayer games support cross-play, but not all, so check before buying.

In practice, most PC gamers use both. There’s no rule that says you have to pick one. Use Steam for your main library and community, and use Epic for the free games and any exclusives you want. The launchers are lightweight enough to run side by side, and tools like GOG Galaxy can consolidate your libraries into one interface if you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Epic Games Store free games safe? Yes, they are legitimate. Epic gives away games as a marketing strategy to attract users. You keep them forever, and they are the full versions, not trials.

Can I play Steam games on Epic Games Store? No, each store has its own library and DRM. You cannot launch a Steam game from Epic, and vice versa. However, some games support cross-play between different launchers.

Which store has better sales? Steam generally has more frequent and deeper discounts, especially during its seasonal sales. Epic has fewer sales but occasionally offers coupons that make games extremely cheap.

Do I need both Steam and Epic? Not strictly, but it’s common. If you only want to play a specific Epic exclusive, you’ll need Epic. If you want the widest selection and community, Steam is essential. Having both gives you the most options.

Is Epic Games Store slower than Steam? Some users report slower download speeds on Epic, but this is often due to server load or regional issues. Both platforms can achieve high speeds, and you can change download regions in settings to improve performance.

Can I transfer games between Steam and Epic? No, games are tied to the platform you bought them on. You cannot transfer a game from Steam to Epic or vice versa. You would have to buy it again on the other platform.

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